Itt was a blind beggar, had long lost his sight, He had a faire daughter of bewty most bright; And many a gallant brave suiter had shee, For none was soe comelye as pretty Bessee. And though shee was of favour most faire, Yett seeing shee was but a poor beggars heyre, Of ancyent housekeepers despised was shee, Whose sonnes came as suitors to prettye Bessee. Wherefore in great sorrow faire Bessy did say, Good father, and mother, let me goe away To seeke out my fortune, whatever itt bee. This suite then they granted to prettye Bessee. Then Bessy, that was of bewtye soe bright, All cladd in gray russett, and late in the night From father and mother alone parted shee; Who sighed and sobbed for prettye Bessee. Shee went till shee came to Stratford-le-Bow; Then knew shee not whither, nor which way to goe: With teares shee lamented her hard destinie, So sadd and soe heavy was pretty Bessee. Shee kept on her journey untill it was day, And went unto Rumford along the hye way; Where at the Queenes armes entertained was shee; Soe faire and wel favoured was pretty Bessee. Shee had not beene there a month to an end, But master and mistress and all was her friend: And every brave gallant, that once did her see, Was straight-way enamoured of pretty Bessee. Great gifts they did send her of silver and gold, And in their songs daylye her love was extold; Her beawtye was blazed in every degree; Soe faire and soe comelye was pretty Bessee. The young men of Rumford in her had their joy; Shee shewed herself curteous, and modestlye coye; And at her commandment still wold they bee; Soe fayre and soe comlye was pretty Bessee. Foure suitors att once unto her did goe; They craved her favor, but still she sayd noe; I wold not wish gentles to marry with mee. Yett ever they honored prettye Bessee. The first of them was a gallant young knight, And he came unto her disguisde in the night; The second a gentleman of good degree, Who wooed and sued for prettye Bessee. A merchant of London, whose wealth was not small, He was the third suiter, and proper withall: Her masters own sonne the fourth man must bee, Who swore he would dye for pretty Bessee. And, if thou wilt marry with mee, quoth the knight, Ile make thee a ladye with joy and delight; My hart's so inthralled by thy bewtle, That soone I shall dye for prettye Bessee. The gentleman sayd, Come, marry with mee, As fine as a ladye my Bessy shal bee: My life is distressed: O heare me, quoth hee; And grant me thy love, my prettye Bessee. Let me bee thy husband, the merchant cold say, Thou shalt live in London both gallant and gay; My shippes shall bring home rych jewells for thee, And I will for ever love pretty Bessee.